The San Antonio Spurs have been linked to some big names on the NBA trade market, but looking at some of their past deadlines suggests that the team won't make a splashy move.
Today, right now, could the San Antonio Spurs call up the Milwaukee Bucks and make a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo? Could they offer the Golden State Warriors a package they couldn't refuse for Stephen Curry?
Absolutely.
The Spurs boast the young players, matching salary, and draft capital required to pull off one of the biggest trades in NBA history, pairing Victor Wembanyama with a top-level talent.
Just because they can doesn't mean they will. The Spurs have plenty of time before Wemby even hits his prime, and while they have been linked to some top trade candidates, fans shouldn't hold their breath.
Spurs' Trade Strategy Compared to Houston Rockets
In 2024, the Houston Rockets almost beat out the Warriors for the final spot in the play-in tournament. Last season, they jumped up to the two seed but lost in the first round.
Instead of going all-in for a star midway through the season, the Rockets stood pat until they added Kevin Durant in the summer. The Spurs are expected to do the exact same thing.
"Historically, the Spurs don’t make a lot of in-season trades," wrote Zach Harper for The Athletic. "I’d expect them to treat this deadline as Houston did a year ago. Yes, San Antonio can find ways to upgrade its situation, but really the club just wants to see what these players can do in the playoffs, so let’s see what happens."
Last winter, the Rockets traded Alpha Kaba to the Atlanta Hawks for Cody Zeller. They also sent a 2031 second-round draft pick to the Boston Celtics for Jaden Springer and two second-round picks. Both Springer and Zeller were waived shortly after, and neither trade registered on the news cycle.
The Rockets were willing to see what they had to work with and used the second half of the season and playoffs to realize that they needed Durant. The Spurs don't need to rush their way to a deal, and the current core is expected to be given a long leash into the summer.